Since 2016

About Us

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Our history

The Cochise Family Advocacy Center 

The Cochise Family Advocacy Center, known as Lori's Place is the sole family advocacy center in Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee Counties. Our vision is to be a resource facilitator for best practices in the fields of abuse treatment, investigation, and prosecution.

The Center was founded in 2016 by Lori Rutherford. With 35 years of nursing experience at a local hospital, Lori worked in various hospital units and eventually became an emergency room (ER) nurse. Throughout her career in  the ER, she cared for numerous victims of abuse, rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence.  At that time, none of the nurses had formal training in sexual assault examinations or evidence collection, making the ER an inadequate environment for assisting victims of violent crime. Many victims did not receive the necessary follow-up care needed to heal from their traumatic experiences. Recognizing this gap, Lori decided to make a change.


She became the first Certified Forensic Nurse and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in Cochise County. Over the next decade, Lori trained ER nurses in evidence collection and dedicated much of her spare time to researching how to establish a Family Advocacy Center. In 2016, Lori's Place opened its doors as a non-profit, client-centered facility.


Since its inception, Lori's Place has provided essential services and support for abuse investigations involving the community’s most vulnerable populations. Professionals from law enforcement, child safety, healthcare (both mental and physical), and victim advocacy collaborate to assist victims of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Lori's Place serves approximately 200 new clients each year across Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee Counties, with plans to expand into Santa Cruz County. The dedicated staff at Lori's Place is its greatest asset, as they prioritize the needs of victims.


The multidisciplinary team is founded on mutual respect and a shared vision to eliminate child and adult abuse. The goal of Lori's Place is to serve as a facilitator of best practices in abuse treatment, investigation, and prosecution. Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre noted, "In 2022, 83 cases involving children were prosecuted and convicted, largely thanks to Lori's Place."


Sierra Vista Police Chief Chris Hiser commented, "Lori's Place has become a critical partner in our community for ensuring timely and thorough evidence collection while providing compassion and care for victims."

Meet our Team

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A woman wearing glasses and a gray jacket is standing in front of a tree.
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A woman in a hat is kneeling down and hugging a brown dog.
A woman wearing glasses is holding a young boy in her arms.
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Our Board of Directors

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Join Our Team!

Join our team or explore numerous volunteer opportunities at Cochise Family Advocacy Center Lori's Place. Your help can take various forms, including direct and indirect services. Regardless of your role, your help will be invaluable in our efforts for victim advocacy, crisis response, and abuse treatment. Join us today as we work together to provide the support victims need.

  • Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner:

    Lori's Place is seeking a compassionate and experienced Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE RN) to join our team on a per diem basis. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact by providing trauma-informed, comprehensive care to survivors of sexual assault.


    Key Responsibilities:

    • Conduct forensic medical examinations and evidence collection
    • Provide emotional support and trauma-informed care to patients
    • Collaborate with law enforcement, advocacy services, and other multidisciplinary partners

    Qualifications:

    • Active RN license with a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience
    • SANE certification
    • Prior experience in forensic nursing or working with survivors of trauma is highly valued

    If you are dedicated to supporting survivors and want to be part of a mission-driven team, please send your resume to admin@lorisplaceaz.org.

Volunteer With Us

At Cochise Family Advocacy Center Lori's Place, we are dedicated to providing an empathetic and supportive environment that promotes the well-being of both child and adult victims. Our comprehensive range of services is aimed at ensuring a nurturing and neutral environment for victims. However, we cannot reach our goals without your valuable involvement. By volunteering, you play a significant role in enhancing our mission. Your compassion, dedication, and engagement contribute to creating a positive impact on the lives of victims and their families. We invite you to join us on this journey to justice, healing, and safety. Please download and complete the volunteer application, then email it to volunteer@lorisplaceaz.org.

  • Outdoor maintenance
  • General cleaning and sanitizing
  • Organizing donations and the Brave Room
  • Administrative supports
  • Case updates and follow-ups
  • Participating in promotions, fundraising events, community outreach programs, and other special events
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Cochise Family Advocacy Center Lori's Place is committed to transparency and accountability.

We want to inform you that our required tax documents and detailed information about our organization are available upon request.

If you would like to access these documents, please contact us at 520-515-4444 or admin@lorisplaceaz.org. We are happy to provide any information you may need.

Thank you for your interest in Cochise Family Advocacy Center Lori's Place.

Tax ID

47-3408612

Address

214 East Tacoma St, Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635, United States

Phone Number

(520) 515-4444

Fax
(520) 458-4052